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Drug & Alcohol Policy

DRUG & ALCOHOL POLICY

To provide the greatest opportunity for growth and development the school environment must be alcohol and drug free.  School Boards share responsibility with the community for addressing the alcohol and drug issue.

In assuming this responsibility the School Board adopts the following principles, policies and procedures:

  1. The school environment shall be alcohol and drug free with no perception of a double standard concerning employees and students evident.
  2. The Board is concerned about the physical and mental health of students.  It is recognized that drug abuse and chemical dependency greatly alter the well-being of and interfere with the performance capabilities of the user.
  3. The use of resource agencies which provide alcohol and drug service programs is important to the school system.
  4. HBCH and NESD will provide appropriate consequences for those students who:
    - are under the influence of; or
    - possess; or
    - traffic in alcohol or illicit drugs while under school supervision.

Statement of Policy

The Board has determined that alcohol will not be allowed on school property.

The Board will review, develop and implement education programs related to alcohol and drugs.

The Board will seek to provide resources to effectively address alcohol and drug issues.

The Board will work cooperatively with students, parents and others toward resolving the problem of alcohol and drug abuse by students through:

- prevention through education,

- appropriate actions in response to alcohol and drug-related incidents,

- consultation and rehabilitiation by referral to appropriate community agencies.

The Board accepts its responsibility with other community and law enforcement agencies in the management of alcohol and drug-related incidents.

The Board will provide appropriate consequences for those students who:

- are under the influence of; or

- possess; or

- traffic in alcohol or illicit drugs while under school supervision.

Student possession, consumption, or being under the influence of alcohol, other intoxicants or illegal drugs during any part of the school day, including noon hour and recess, or at any school-approved event is prohibited.  Offenders will be severely disciplined.

In their first offence, students will be subject to suspension determined by the Superintendent of Schools who is authorized by the North East School Division Board of Education.  The student has the option of a hearing by a School Division Disciplinary Committee.  In exceptional circumstances, the disciplinary action will be at the discretion of the Superintendent of Schools.

Any student who is found to be a supplier of illicit drugs during any part of the school day including noon hour, recess and school-sponsored field trips, sports trips or any school-sponsored event will be dealt with by the North East School Division Disciplinary Committee.

When a student is suspended, the onus lies with the student to have all work completed to the satisfaction of the Principal.

Procedures

The following procedures are recommended when alcohol and/or drug use is suspected on school property or at authorized school functions, when incidents of abuse occur and when helping students with alcohol and drug-related problems.

Education For Prevention

Each school must analyse its own approach to prevention, intervention and discipline.  Alcohol and drug education for prevention is essential and will include the following procedures:

  1. Identify and seek to correct through interventions the social problems resulting from alcohol and drug abuse.
  2. Provide a carefully planned and well coordinated K-12 alcohol and drug education program concentrating on the development of mentally, physically and socially healthy young people.
  3. Provide continuing education to school personnel to enable them to identify symptoms of chemical abuse.  This training will enable staff to plan intervention and help those who are in the process of rehabilitation.

Assistance for Students with Problems Related to Alcohol and Other Drugs

Students experiencing problems related to alcohol and drugs need assistance.  Counselling and rehabilitation will help young peole return to normal productive lives.  Appropriate community agencies provide the expertise and resource for this.

  1. The Board believes that other community agencies have the major responsibility for providing counsel in and rehabilitative programs for those who abuse alcohol and drugs. The schools of the Division will assist these agencies in fulfilling their responsibilities wherever possible, and refer students to them whenever necessary.
  2. Each school Principal will identify a staff member to serve as a contact person for information related to alcohol and drugs.  Such information will include the names of counsellors and counselling agencies.
  3. When students are not acting in a usual or acceptable manner, procedures commonly used for illness should be imposed.  A student obviously under the influence of alcohol or other drugs may require special and immediate protective attention.
  4. If drug abuse is suspected, staff should be particularly cautious about making a diagnosis or stating the suspected cause when communicating with parents and administrators.  They must concentrate on specific behaviour rather than cause and effect judgements.  All staff are responsible for informing the principal of students who exhibit irregular behaviour patterns and/or declining performance over a period of time.
  5. Should drug or alcohol use be identified as the cause of the unacceptable behaviour, assesment and subsequent counselling by qualified staff at the school may be adequate.  Subsequent incidents with the same student will constitute reasons for referral and/or disciplinary action.

Responsibilities of Students

Students and their parents or guardians are responsible for undertaking the Board's alcohol and drug policy and counselling services available to them.  It is the student's responsibility to use this information to make decisions about drug and alcohol use.

Students who voluntarily request assistance or counselling, will be referred to the appropriate agencies.  Violation of the alcohol an drug policy will not necessarily be excused on the basis that the student has requested counselling or other help.